Orland Park trustees appoint George Kaswara as village manager over calls for a public search

Orland Park — The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted to appoint George Kaswara as village manager effective immediately, approving a one-year employment agreement with an annual base salary of $207,000 after a roll-call vote at a public meeting.

The appointment followed public comment and debate among trustees about transparency and whether the board should open the position to a wider search. Trustees approved the motion to appoint Kaswara by a 4–2 vote with one member absent.

Why it matters: The village manager is the chief administrator responsible for day-to-day operations, budget management and policy implementation. Several residents and some trustees said the position should be publicly posted and vetted; others argued that an experienced candidate who knows village operations is needed promptly to provide continuity.

Public comments before the vote included appeals both for and against reinstating Kaswara. Carol McGree, a resident, urged the board to “please consider rethinking your choice of George,” saying she worried the hire contradicts campaign promises on transparency and fiscal responsibility. Darryl Barnum, a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, argued in favor of an immediate appointment, saying, “we need someone now who can step into the job immediately and restore professional management.” Joseph Solick, another resident, said Kaswara’s presence at the board’s swearing-in gave the appearance the appointment was predetermined: “By his presence in the boardroom at that time, it gave the appearance that his position as village manager was predetermined as a done deal.”

Trustees debated whether to delay the appointment and run an open search. Trustee Katsenas described the role’s gravity and cited ethical expectations for professional administrators, referencing the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) code of ethics and saying a provision “states refrain from all political activity.” Trustee Malani moved to table the appointment and asked for a transparent process; that motion failed on a roll call. Trustee Lawler then moved to appoint Kaswara; the board approved the motion with Lawrence, Lawler, Leafblad and Mayor Dodd voting yes and Katsenas and Malani voting no. Trustee Healy was absent.

Discussion versus decision: The meeting’s public-comment period and trustees’ remarks constituted a substantive discussion on hiring policy and transparency. The board’s final action was a formal appointment and authorization for the village president to execute a one-year agreement pending the village attorney’s review.

What the board decided: The trustees voted to appoint George Kaswara as village manager, effective immediately, with an annual base salary of $207,000 and authorization for the village president to execute a one‑year employment agreement pending review by the village attorney. The board also appointed Joanna Leafblad as village president pro tem in a separate, subsequent vote.

Looking ahead: Trustees who opposed the appointment asked that the village follow a more public hiring process for future chief‑administrative hires; those concerns were recorded on the public record during the meeting.